Process of electrolysis.



H. M. DU BOIS.

PROCESS OF ELEGTROLYSIS. APPLICATION rum) APR. 11, 1910.

1 $175,096, 4 Patented Oct. 7, 1913.

y fgaa UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HOWARD M. on 1201s. or nn'rnorr. MICHIGAN I PROCESS OF ELECTROLYSI IS.

Specification of Letters Patent. 3 Iafg- Application filed April 11,1910. Serial No. 554,605.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that LHowann M. DU BOIS,

' a citizen of the United States of America,

residing at Detroit, in the county of Wayne and State otMichigan, haveinvented oer-- tam new and useful Improvements in Processes ofElectrolysis, of which thefollowing is a specification, reference beinghad-therein to the accompanying drawings.

The invention relates to the manufacture of various products by theelectrolysis of salts, being more particularly designed for use in theelectrolysls of chlorid soduun and apparatus.

Wit-h these objects in view, the invention consists in the process ashereinafter set forth.

In the drawings-Figure 1 is a vertical central section through anelectrolytic cell, 'which may be employed for carrying out my improvedrocess; Fig. 2 is a horizontal section thereo In the electrolysis ofsolutions where porous diaphragms are employed, great difliculty isexperienced in maintaining the porosity of the diaphragm. Consequently,the cells decrease in eflicienc Y as the pores become clogged withimpurities in the solution, the electrical resistance being increasedand requiring a higher voltage and greater expenditure of-energy in theproduction of the product. My improved process'is d.e-' signed to a.large measure overcome this difficult-y without destroying theeffectiveness of the diaphragm or incurring any danger of commingling ofthe gaseous products of the electrolysis.

' Broadly consldered, the process "consists 'the flowing of theelectrolyte over the upper end of a vertically-arranged; diaphragm, andj thence downward between the diaphragm and the exposed cathode fsurface, whereby the flowin of the cathode liquor is notde -'f pendentso el upon the porosity of the diaphragm,-whi e the electrolytic actionis unim aired.

only: compensate for that which passes through t the surplus will beforced upward through the space between'theflanges Ill-and G and.

ith the apparatus as'shown,,A is the cathode which forms also .the outercontainer for the li uid in the cell. This cathode is prefera 1y formedwith vertically-extendingchannels B in its inner face. while a porousdiaphragm C is arranged adjacent to and sup orted by the cathode.

D is an anode fhrmed" preferably of a. series of vertically-arrangedbars of carbon extending around 'thecell adjacent to the inner face ofthe diaphragm. These bars are secured at their upper ends to, a supporting cap E which is rovided with adepending annular flange G is aparallel annular flange surrounding the flange F but spaced therefromand supported upon the cathode. H is another annular flange surroundinand 31): from v the flange G and depending iron-z. the cap E and seatedon the upper end of tho cathode. The construction of the annulariiangesF, G and H is such that they form a seal preventing the passage of asfrom one compartment to the other, ut, permitting the flow of liquidtlierebetween At the lower end of the cell is an annular channel Icommunicating with "all of the vertically-extending grooves or andhaving a discharge conduitthereto.

K is an inlet for the electrolyte preferably extending through thebottom of the cell tpassages B connected and connected with suitablemeans for maintainlng a constant flow of the liquid there through.

' L is a gas outlet connecting with the upper end of the anodecompartment, and M is a gas outlet connected with the cathodecompartment.

In operation, the salt solution, or other liquid to be electrolyzed, isfed into the anode compartment through the conduit K and 'byreason ofthe porosity of the diaphragm C' this liquid is also brought intocontact with the face of the cathode. Electrolysis will thus take place,the caustic and hydrogen .gas collecting at the cathode and the chloridgas collecting at the anode. The constant inflow of the electrolyte willnot e pores of the diaphragm, but

into the cathode-compartment, where it will.

stantoutflow of said liquor through. the dis charge pipe J.

. It. will be noted that the electrolyte on,v both sides of thediaphragm isarranged in terminate the anode and the cathode, and,therefore, is maintained in .the field of theelectrolysiis. The gasesliberated at the:

anode'and cathode will ascend through the solution, and will becollected in their respective compartments, and any commingling of thesegases is prevented by the liquid seal maintained between the flanges F,Grand H. There will, however, be a certain amount of the hypochloriteformed during the electrolysis, since dissolved chloringas ,may passwith the electrolyte through the liquid seal and into contact with thecathode liquor. Here the hypochlorite formed will be directed in thepath of the liberated hydrogen which, reacting thereon, will reduce thehypochlorite to a chlorid- Here it-will be directed in the path of theliberated hydrogen, which, reacting thereon,

.will reduce the hypochlorite to a chlorid.

Thus before the solution comes into contact with the metallic surface ofthe cathode practically all of the hypochlorite is eliminated and thisprevents the corrosion and destruction of the cell. c

What I claim as my invention is:

1. The process of electrolysis, which com: prises flowing theelectrolyte from the anode compartment through a gas-proof seal into thecathode compartment, and thence across" the electrolytic field Within aspace between the diaphragm andthe cathode.

2. The process of electrolysis, which com -:prises maintaining constantfreedom of comcopiel of this patent may be obtained for lil'unicatioii.betweer'r-thei anode alfd cathode compartments, and a constant How ofliquid acros the electrolytic field within a space "between the cathodeand the porous diaphragm,

3. The process of electrolysis, which comv prises maintaining a constantpressure on the electrolyte in the anode compartment,

and a flow of liquid across the electrolyticfield within a space betweenthe porous diaphragm and the cathode, with a constant discharge of thecathode liquor.

' 4. The process of electrolysis, which comprises constantly feeding inelectrolyte into I the anode compartment, in by-passing a portion of theelectrolyte around, the porous diaphragm, and in maintaining a flow ofthetrolytic field downward within a space between the diaphragm and thecathode.

In testimony whereof I aifix my signature 1n presence of two witnesses.I

. HOWARD M. DU 1301s.

lVitnesses NELLIE KINsnLLA, JAMns P. BARRY.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissionerot Patents, Washington,D. C.

